International seaport to rise in Pangasinan town

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza has given the go-signal for the construction of an international seaport in Sual town, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said yesterday.

Espino said the project will be a joint venture of the national, provincial and municipal governments.

Under the agreement, the provincial government and the municipality of Sual would earmark P200 million and P100 million, respectively, and the national government, through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Transportation and Communication, P100 million each.

“This is a long-overdue project, a dream that is coming true,” he said.

Espino said it is ironic that fuel and fertilizer products are landed in Poro Point, La Union or in Subic even as Pangasinan accounts for more than 60 percent of the demand for these products in the entire Ilocos region (Region 1).

This translates into additional cost and time of transport, he said.

With the seaport, the province will gain huge benefits like employment, tapping of support services, setting up of new industries, exports of rich mineral products and other opportunities that will bring a lot of economic activities, he added. 

Espino said 20 investors have signified their intention to locate at the port, which is among the special projects under the governor’s 10-point major development thrust to bring progress to the province.

Espino said he is meeting with Sual Mayor John Rodney Arcinue and PPA port management officer Silverio Mangaoang Jr. to finalize the details of the seaport’s construction. – With Cesar Ramirez